Welcome to the Dharmadatu Sangha

We hope that you find the contents of our web site to be of help to you.

Dharmadatu Sangha Inc are a not-for-profit, registered charity whose primary aim is to assist people in recovering a sense of purpose and direction in their lives towards self-realisation and freedom from avoidable mental anguish by the provision of public Dharma and Meditation classes.

The association are members of the Buddhist Council of Western Australia and are the support organisation for Ordained members of the Dharmadatu Buddhist Order.

The Dharmadatu Buddhist Order exists as an expression of a new era in which the Dharma is taught within a Western context without recourse to religious beliefs or cultural institutionalisation. The Order provides an opportunity for those new to Buddhism to formalise their own commitment to the Dharma Path within that context. Its teachings are drawn from within all of the major traditions of Buddhism but an emphasis is placed on the individual practitioner filtering out what is helpful for their growth and development and what is not under the guidance of its Dharma Director Tiratnadana.

The Dharmadatu Sangha does not promote itself as a new school or tradition. It is the free association of individuals who seek to reach their full potential as human beings & who engage with Dharma & Meditation practice as a vehicle for that realisation. You will find on this site details of our public classes together with an opportunity to engage in Dharma study at home with the assistance of one-to-one tutorial by e mail. All of our classes and study material are free of charge, but we do promote the ethos of generosity by providing an opportunity to make donations on a voluntary basis.

Mandurah Dharma & Meditation Centre

Frequently Asked Questions

(Q) What does the name Dhamadatu Sangha mean?(A) Its literal translation is `The Realm of Reality` community of Dharma practitioners

(Q) Why are we asked to remove our shoes before entering the centre?(A) It symbolises leaving our busy lives outside and entering a tranquil learning space that has been dedicated to Dharma & Meditation practice. (It also helps to keep the carpet clean!)

(Q) What do the things on the shrine represent?(A) The flowers represent the truth of impermanence, a fundamental teaching within Buddhism. The candles represent the light of the Buddha`s teachings, opening our eyes so we can see clearly. The incense represents the growth of the community of Dharma practitioners.

(Q) What does the chant at the start of the Dharma class represent?(A) This is called a salutation to the shrine. The language, sanskrit, is the ancient language of India, which is the birthplace of Buddhism. People cup their hands representing a lotus flower, the Buddhist symbol for human growth. This short ritual allows an individual to acknowledge their commitment to live in accordance with the Dharma path and in particular within the context of the Dharmadatu Sangha. In essence, by facing the shrine and acknowledging our commitment we are recognising our individual potential as human beings.

(Q) What do the words of the chant mean?(A) In my name I go for refuge to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. These three things define you as a Dharma practitioner.

(Q) What does the sash that is worn around the neck represent?(A) The sash is called a kesa. It is a recognisable symbol within the Buddhist world that a person has been ordained or is training for ordination. In the West it represents the monks robe. The blue sash is worn by those who are Ordained. The white sash is worn by those training for Ordination.

(Q) What does the symbol on this sash represent?(A) The main symbol is an eight spoked wheel which represents the eight step development plan that a Dharma practitioner undertakes to follow. The three colours at the centre of the wheel are representative of the three jewels of Buddhism – Buddha (yellow), Dharma (blue) Sangha (red).

(Q) What does the word Dharma mean?(A) In simplistic terms it means the teachings of the Buddha. On a deeper level it points to the nature of existence.

Class Charges

The Dharmadatu Sangha is a not-for-profit organisation that receives no outside funding and relies on donations made at classes to survive. No member of the sangha receives any form of payment from the donations. Within the spirit of generosity we ask that people give what they can afford to assist us to continue spreading the Dharma. It is our view that a lack of funds should never deter any individual from seeking or receiving the Dharma.

If you would like to make a donation to help us continue the Dharma work that we have undertaken please make payments to The Commonwealth Bank – branch number 066200 – account number 10023203 – account name Dharmadatu Sangha Inc. Please leave your name as a reference. Thank you.